TOPEKA (KSNT) – A major road closure is now in place along SE 29th Street in Topeka, and some business owners are concerned about how it could impact customer traffic over the next several months.
City of Topeka staff closed SE 29th Street where it crosses over Butcher Creek on Tuesday, Oct. 6 as construction continues on the city’s SE 29th Street improvement project. The closure extends from just east of SE Kansas Place to Church’s Chicken at 201 SE 29th St. and is expected to remain in place for about six months.
For businesses located near the construction zone, the biggest concern is making sure customers can still reach them.
Zeyad Hayyeh, general manager of Car Toyz, said construction in the area is already creating challenges for customers traveling through the corridor.
“It’s definitely affecting our business and other businesses adjacent to us that we’ve talked to,” Hayyeh said. “We hope this gets done at a smoother and faster rate than it is currently.”
Hayyeh said he learned about the closure a few months ago and was surprised by how quickly the project was moving forward. The business has experienced major road construction nearby before, and Hayyeh said it had a noticeable impact.
“We’ve went through this, I’d say about 10 or 15 years ago,” Hayyeh said. “And it definitely had an impact.”
While Hayyeh expects many longtime customers will continue to visit the store, he is concerned about attracting new customers during the closure.
“I hope that we’re in need enough and they know how to get here and our regular customers probably can maneuver,” Hayyeh said. “But it’s any new potential customers that we fear might avoid coming here because of all the construction and closures.”
Hayyeh said easy access from SE 29th Street is critical for Car Toyz.
“That’s where most of our customers travel,” Hayyeh said. “So yeah, it’s definitely a huge impact.”
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Hayyeh also worries about other businesses in the area that depend heavily on passing traffic.
“Any convenience stores, any place like that that need more traffic, this construction can take them out of business, or restaurants,” Hayyeh said.
Despite those concerns, Hayyeh said he hopes the finished project will provide long-term benefits for drivers and businesses alike.
“That’s what we’re hoping for,” Hayyeh said. “We’re hoping roads would be in better condition, better shape, safer.”
According to the city, the closure is needed so crews can complete work on the Butcher Creek box culvert, replace sections of pavement and install water and sanitary sewer infrastructure. The larger project also includes roadway widening, bridge improvements and a new traffic signal at SE 29th Street and Fremont/Cunningham. Construction began in June and is expected to be completed next summer for the overall project.
The city said drivers should follow posted detours and traffic control signs while the closure remains in place.
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